Hanza Kaunas 2011

History

HANSA LEAGUE

The historic Hanseatic League was a trading town union initiated by North-German merchants. The union comprised approximately 70 cities and 130 towns. It extended its working area in 20 European countries and existed from the 13th till the 16th century. The Hanseatic League controlled major part of international trade in North Europe. The Hansa merchants supplied Western and Central Europe with goods from Northern and Eastern Europe, i.e. luxury goods, food and law material such as fur, wax, grain, fish, flax, hemp, wood and wood building material such as pitch, tar and galipot. From Western and Southern Europe to Northern and Eastern Europe they brought drapery, metalwork (esp.: arms) and spice.

The League was so powerful that it influenced a number of kingdoms economically, politically and culturally.

HANSA KAUNAS COUNTING - HOUSE

Since the end of the 14th century, Lithuania's trading relationships with Königsberg and, especially, Danzig, which became the most popular of the Hanseatic towns in Northern and Eastern Europe, gets increasingly significant. It is known Lithuania and Danzig started their trading relationships already at the end of the 14th century. During Vytautas' term of office, Lithuania and Danzig maintained regular relationships. The waterway Nemunas - Kaunas Sea - Deimė - Prieglius - Aismarės - Vistula was the way transporting cheap staples from Lithuania to Danzig, which greatly profited the intermediates. In order to improve accessibility of cheap goods, by the advantageous Nemunas quay the Hanseatic counting-house was established. The main outbound goods were wax, fur, leather, wood, mould, tar, and, since the 15th century, grain. What Kaunas used to receive was other goods, such as salt, which could not be substituted, and also ironware and baize. The office was open till the middle of the 16th century, and these were the most glorious and the most venerable times of Western Europe's city Kaunas.

THE NEW HANSA UNION

The new Hansa Union was established in 1980. It is the organisation of economically and politically active member-cities of the old Hanseatic League that aim for close cooperation. At the moment, the organisation unites more than 170 European towns. The main goal of the union is to revive the idea of autonomy of the European TOWN, the idea being based on historical heritage and encouraging comprehensive cooperation of the member-towns. It will have influence on development of social cultural consciousness and on the exchange cultural, economical and political experience of the TOWNS. The new Hansa strives for contributing to economical, cultural, social and municipal unity in Europe in this way strengthening reciprocal understanding of the towns and the local governments. Such a vision of the Hanseatic organisation formed the priorities of the union's actions:

• Public relations and common activities that highlight common affinity of the Hanseatic towns;
• Cultural and traditional exchange;
• Maintenance of economical and commercial contacts;
• Youth involvement to the union's activities.

INTERNATIONAL HANSA DAYS

It is very important to all the member-TOWNS that they find themselves again as a part of the Hanseatic Union. It is of even greater importance that they maintain the idea and spread it wide. Therefore, Hansa decided to organise a festival - "The International Hansa Days" - to facilitate the task. Annually, one of the member-TOWNS is appointed the centre of the international Hansa Days; at that time, thousands of participators from the associate towns gather together there. Each town build up their pavilion and introduce their cultural, economical and social values according their means. The majority of the TOWNS not only take part in the international Hansa Days but also organise local Hansa festivals.

HANSEATIC FESTIVAL IN KAUNAS

Since 1991, Kaunas is the sole Lithuanian town that belongs to the international towns' union "The New Hansa". Every year, Kaunas presents itself successfully at the annual event of the union "International Hansa Days" by introducing the heritage of cuisine, folk art, music, theatre, etc. Furthermore, since 2005, at the end of August, Kaunas draws crowds of people from the entire Lithuania, who can admire the unique Kaunas Old Town and lose themselves in the Middle Ages, i.e. try armour, play medieval games, taste the old European dishes, listen to the troubadours' songs, wield a sward, enjoy watching the night's sky coloured by amazing fireworks, and a lot more.

The public institution "Hansa Kaunas" and Kaunas local government that organise the festival already for the fourth time have managed to achieve that the festival be known not only in Lithuania but also outside. Now the event has become the priority of the town and it now has gained its face, traditions and lots of devoted supporters.

The festival has broadened: on the stage one can see not only Lithuanian performers but also guest artists from Germany, Poland, Russia, Latvia, Estonia, Belarus, Norway and Holland. Moreover, three documentary films have already been produced. Financing is increased as more and more supporters are found. Appropriations of both the local government and the Government of the Republic of Lithuania have been increased.